CBOT corn choppy without fresh news

CHICAGO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade corn futures seesawed and ended slightly lower on Thursday, driven by tight corn supply.

• U.S. farmers, punished by slumping prices after last year's huge corn harvest, are expected to reduce their plantings of the grain in 2026 as they brace for a fourth straight year of narrow profit margins or even losses.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasted corn plantings at 94.0 million acres, well below the 94.9 million acres expected by analysts and the 98.8 million harvested this year.

• Growers face difficult decisions this year due to a global supply glut, weak crop prices and rising costs for inputs such as seeds and fertilizer. U.S. farm income is projected to drop 0.7% despite near-record government payments, which are expected to account for nearly 29% of producers' revenue.

• Low corn prices and ample supplies following a record U.S. crop in 2025 were expected to discourage growers from expanding plantings this year, although good demand from exporters and ethanol biofuel makers will likely limit a steeper decline, analysts said.

• CBOT March corn CH26 settled 1-1/4 cents lower at $4.25-3/4 per bushel.